Gay Soldier Assaulted at Arizona Army Base

FORT HUACHUCA, Arizona (U.S. Newswire) -- Private Kyle Lawson, a 19-year-old Tucson resident, was physically assaulted and threatened at Fort Huachuca Army Base after fellow soldiers learned he is gay, according to a report in Sunday's Arizona Daily Star. Fearful for his safety, Private Lawson is leaving the Army, while the soldier accused of his assault appears to remain unpunished. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today called on Army officials to hold the responsible party accountable for the assault and called on the Pentagon to implement an Anti-Harassment Action Plan originally adopted in 2000. The plan, SLDN has reported each year since, has never been implemented.

"Pentagon leaders have consistently refused to take harassment seriously, and our men and women in uniform continue to pay the price," said Sharra E. Greer, SLDN's director of law and policy. "The Pentagon has found, in its own survey, rampant anti-gay harassment in the armed forces. Service members report harassment, violence and threats to SLDN on a regular basis. At least two service members have been murdered because of unchecked anti-gay harassment. Yet military leaders have utterly failed to send a strong, clear message that anti-gay harassment is unacceptable or that those who harass will be held accountable for their actions. The result is yet another anti-gay assault."

According to the Star, Private Lawson's nose was broken and he was later threatened with a knife after a friend revealed during a Battalion party that Lawson is gay. While the soldier who Lawson says attacked him was originally charged with aggravated assault by civilian police, Fort Huachuca officials have decided not to prosecute the case "for reason fort officials say they are not at liberty to explain," according to the press report. Lawson says the solider used an anti-gay slur during the attack.

"Congress should demand answers," said Greer. "The complete lack of accountability when it comes to anti-gay harassment in our armed forces is outrageous and inexcusable. How many more murders and assaults will be required to wake up Pentagon leaders?"

In August 2003, twenty-two Members of Congress asked the Department of Defense to implement its Anti-Harassment Action Plan, which includes steps to curb anti-gay harassment. Those Congressional representatives concluded "that the Services are not in full compliance" with the plan and asked DoD to report on its progress by February 2004. Dr. David Chu, the Pentagon undersecretary charged with implementing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," replied that no further action was required and the Pentagon's actions to address and deal with harassment were sufficient. Many military personnel report to SLDN that they are unaware the plan even exists.

Private Lawson's mother told the Star that she has "been crying myself to sleep" and is "afraid for his life." Private Lawson was told to sleep on a cot in his drill sergeant's office following the attack, and reports to the Star that his attacker's only punishment appeared to be revocation of his weekend pass. A Fort Huachuca spokeswoman said officials took "appropriate action" in dealing with the case.